Apollo 13 showed how tense the whole world seemed as America was about to lose astronauts in space for the first time

This movie is by far one of my all time favorites. First of all, I remember it happening when I was a kid.

How tense the whole world seemed as America was about to lose astronauts in space for the first time. How hopeless it seemed for the crew of Apollo-13.

Ron Howard has grown from a child actor to one of the best directors of our day. Ever scene is a work of art. The direction is real, believable and gripping.

The cast Howard assembled was perfect for the task at hand.

Tom Hanks as the commander, Jim Lovell. Hanks is calm even in the face of unprecedented danger and thereby portrays the courage these men really had.

You could tell that Howard and Hanks grew up with the same respect and admiration for the early astronauts that how generation held.

I couldn't wait to have my daughter see this one to show her that space flights were not always as routine as the shuttle flights of today appear.

The music is wonderful. It grabs you in a visceral manner and keeps you glued to the screen.

During the blast off the music swells and you find you are holding your breath.

In Dolby 5.1 surround on DVD this scene is as close to being there as most of us will ever be. One note as to the realism Howard brings to Apollo 13. He obtained permission to film the weightless scenes in the training plain NASA uses.

When the actors are seen floating around the capsule, they are really weightless.

All in all, this film is the capstone of any serious home theater owner.